NEWS: Fire midfielder Alex receives U.S. Green Card

CHICAGO, Ill.(June 24, 2014) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Tuesday that Fire midfielder Alex has received his U.S. Green Card, granting him permanent resident status in the United States. Alex will no longer occupy an international roster spot on the Fire roster.

The Brazilian joined the Men in Red during the 2012 summer transfer window from Swiss side FC Wohlen. In 55 MLS regular season appearances, the Sao Paolo product scored three goals and tallied one assist.

The Fire currently have five open international roster spots. Ecuadorian striker Juan Luis Anangono and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Grant Ward currently occupy two spots and the eighth spot was traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 5, 2014 in exchange for midfielder Matt Watson. The Whitecaps hold the international roster spot until Dec. 31, 2014.

The Chicago Fire return to action when they host the Columbus Crew in the fifth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. CT at Toyota Park. The match will be available via live web stream at www.Chicago-Fire.com.

Single game tickets are currently on sale and available via Ticketmaster, www.Chicago-Fire.com, at the Toyota Park Box Office and by calling 888-MLS-FIRE. Fire Season Ticket Holder tickets are currently available on Account Manager. Group tickets are also available at a discounted price by calling 888-MLS-FIRE.